The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-16
NAMES GREAT Loss.
Death Of Governor BsdWell Early Yes
terday Morning.
Last Hours Of One Of the States
Illustriens Citizens.
Suspension Of Business Marks the Grief
Of HallOwell People.
Expressions Of Affection and Respect
Heard on Every Side.
Appropriate Action Taken by The Cities
Of Maine.
Mr. Marble Ready to Assume His New
Duties.
Mr.. Marble Ready to Assume His New
Duties.
Especial to the Press.l


Governor Joseph r. Bodwell, which oc-
CURED so suddenly this morning. is one of
the saddest events which ever occurred ins
the State, and to the people of this quiet
city it falls with tenfold severity. he was
so near to them. Ever since the Monday
when he was stricken in the Brunswick de-
pot they had feared the worst, but OF late
had been hopeful and over confident that he
would recover. But from what can be
learned there was but little hope from the
first. At the time Of his attack in Bruns-
wick he came near dying, and DR.. Mitchell
says that had he not been present the gov
ernor would have probably expired then
DR.. Weeks of Portland, who has carefully
followed the case as reported in the news
papers, said today that he saw but slight
chance of recovery. There is seldom re-
covery from an affection of the heart like
that from which Mr.. Bodwell suffered, ply
sicians say.
The news of the Governors death spread
with lightning like rapidity and in short
period it was known in every portion of the
State. Here as soon as the sad tidings were
heard in the early morning there was much
CONSERVATION, people gathered in little knots
on the street and with downcast faces talked
of their beloved fellow citizen. Every citi-
zen seemed to feel and realize that the death
of the Governor was public calamity.
Maj. E. Rowell, prominent here and in
timately acquainted with the deceased, was
seen by your correspondent and said, "The
late Governor was a whole man, generous
and true. The poorest and lowliest citizen
found friend in him. he had sympathy
for all, and never saw subscription paper
on the street in aid of worthy cause but
what he headed it with liberal amount,
He was alike respected by rich and poor and
by all parties. l don't. believe he had an
enemy in the town. The expression of grief
is general and profound, / never saw any
thing like it here and people speak of the
event with tears in their eyes"
In speaking of ais business qualities Mr.
Rowell said he was by far the most accom-
plished business man in the State, and re-
garded the loss as an irreparable one to the
State.
Gen. G. w. Tilden spoke in the highest
terms of 1.-THE llate Governor. "He was
splendid man in every way, a thoroughly
public spirited man and thorough business
man." Gen. Tilden referred to hopes which
the Governor entertained of his recovery.
and said, "only last night lie expressed to me
that he was stronger and on the road to re-
covery."
Mr.. Curtis Stevens. private secretary of
the Governor, said: II know the Governor
was upright, and had the best of intentions.
He trusted many people and was seldom de-
ceived in them. But few people ever applied
80 him for aid but what they received it. In
making his appointments he endeavored to
do that which was for the best good of all
not for policy He had no policy but to do
right. He was in all respects man of the
people and with the people. There was no.
man in town for whom he did not have
pleasant word and cordial shake of the
hand. 1t made no difference if man car
ried hOd or wore silk hat"
Secretary of State Oromandel Smith said
tonight: "In all my acquaintance with pub
lie men. never saw one who endeayored to
do right more earnestly than Mr.. Bodwell
His first object was to that end. The last
time saw him spoke about his riding day
and night on the trains, and the immense
amount of work, and he seemed to recognize
that he had assumed toe much, perhaps, and
ought to curtail his business"
"He can be regarded as millionaire"
said a gentleman well acquainted with his
business Mr.. Charles w. Tilden has full
charge Of the business at tho present time.
he being secretary of the Hallowell Granite
Company, and one of the late Governors
most trusted associates. Where the property
will ultimately go cannot be intimated at
present, as it is not known how it will be
disposed of by the will, if any was made.
Mr.. Bodwell was always pleased to assist
towns and communities by lending his pow
erful aid. He lent numerous sums of money,
from $1C0 up to $1,000, and very seldom lest
any. Frequently he took no security. He
gave away on an average from So to $40 a
day, and calls for charity have been very
numerous since he became Governor.
The immediate family and relatives of the
deceased are as follows: Wife; son, Joseph
L.; daughter, Mrs. Persis M. Paine. of Hal
lowell; brother, Henry, of Andover, Mass. /:
sister, Mrs. Asa Simons. of Methuen, Mass. /;
nephew, William Bodwell, of Hallowell.
Mrs. Bodwell was the second wife of the
Governor, he having married sisters. Mr..
Bodwelps family relations were always Of
the pleasantest character.
The Hallowell city council meet tomorrow
evening to take action ON the death of Mr..
Bodwell. and there will probably be cere-
monies under the auspices of the citizens in
respect 10 the deceased.